Brain Age is a great game that anyone with a summer vacation needs!
There is no story in this game. Yous just try to get your brain in the best condition which is 20 years old. The younger the age, the better.
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Gameplay
Brain Age Check
Rock, Paper, Scissors is based on the game of the same name, though you are presented with their virtual opponent's choice and must choose the correct state to either win or lose, as instructed by the test. This test uses verbal input from you and is not presented if you instruct the game that you are not in an area you can speak.
Serial Subtraction presents you with one large number and a second smaller number that they must repeatedly subtract from the larger number; the previous result is blacked out, requiring the player to remember this result, though they can check that number by tapping a button for a performance penalty.
Symbol Match shows a simple substitution cipher of a single digit to a symbol ("#", "@", etc.). A series of questions asking which symbol is represented by a number is shown to you, using this code.
Math Recall presents a series of single digit addition problems; one number from the equation will be common on the next equation, but will be changed on the subsequent one. An example series may be "2+3=?", "4+3=?", "4+8=?" "1+8=?" and so forth. The reused digit is blacked out on the second equation, requiring you to remember that and perform the addition correctly. If you cannot remember, they can tap a button to reveal the blacked-out number with a performance penalty.
In Number Memory, you are presented with a 5x5 grid with the numbers 1 though 25 randomly distributed on the grid. Within two minutes, you must memorize as many symbols as you can, then fill in a blank grid from memory. Each space on the grid can only be guessed at once, with the correct number being shown after entry.
In High Number, you are shown several numbers of various font sizes and possibly moving on the screen. You must tap the highest value number, regardless of how its presented on screen.
Training
The training activities include Math Recall above, in addition to the following activities.
In Sign Finder, you are shown a single math operation lacking the operator (plus, minus, multiplication or division). You must write the correct operator to satisfy the equation. In hard mode, you may be asked to fill in multiple operators.
Piano Player presents you with one octave of a piano keyboard, and a scoring musical score of common folk tunes (such as "Home on the Range") on the opposite screen. You must hit the correct notes on the piano as indicated by the score. Points are earned for following the tempo and rhythm, although the music will pause if the player makes a mistake or does not hit a note when expected. In hard mode, the piano's keys and the notes are not labeled, and the song accompaniment will continue to play even if you make a mistake.
In Word Blend, you listen to one, two or three words simultaneously spoken through the DS speaker, and must write the word(s) that they hear. In hard mode, the words are longer and spoken softer.
Word Scramble shows a rotating ring of letters that can be anagrammed into a word. You must guess that word, though you can pass on any word they can't identify.
Change Maker shows a dollar and cents amount to you, and the bill used to pay for that amount. You must select the right type of change in bills and coins.
Calendar Count will ask questions relating to calendar days, such as days of the week, or the date of a day a number of days from the present.
Memory Sprint asks you to keep track of the position of one target runner in a sprint, with the screen showing only a small segment of the players running the sprint. You must identify the correct finishing position of the target runner.
Math Recall presents a series of single digit addition problems; one number from the equation will be common on the next equation, but will be changed on the subsequent one. An example series may be "2+3=?", "4+3=?", "4+8=?" "1+8=?" and so forth. The reused digit is blacked out on the second equation, requiring you to remember that and perform the addition correctly. If you cannot remember, they can tap a button to reveal the blacked-out number with a performance penalty. There is a hard mode, where you have to recall 2 blacked out numbers, one for the current problem, and one for the next problem.
Clock Spin shows you an analog or digital LCD clock face that is rotated or flipped on the screen, and will ask the player to enter the indicated time. The analog face will only have one number on it as the reference point.
In Block Count blocks of various shapes will fall in a Tetris-style grid. Once they are in the grid, they can no longer be seen, so you have to remember how many have fallen into each column. Sometimes, pairs of blocks will fall in horizontally, leaving a gap in the column. This counts in the final height, so you have to remember this too. When the falling is complete, you will be asked to count the height of a specific column in the grid. There is a hard mode to this where the blocks fall faster.
Stamps and tips
One stamp may be collected per day, after completing at least one training exercise. When certain numbers of stamps are collected, new training exercises and features are unlocked. Once eight stamps are collected, a feature to design personal stamps is unlocked.
At the end of a training program, Doctor Kawashima will give you a brain tip, and once 5 stamps have been collected, it will be possible to read all of the tips Doctor Kawashima has given out.
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Graphics
This game has nothing to do with graphics, the only thing that has any kind of graphical power would be Doctor Kawashima's face, but that would be a waste of a score.
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Sound
This game sounds great. Everything sounds clean and crisp, the music in the game is awesome.
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Control
This game controls well for the most part. The only thing that will bug you is that some of the touch-screen elements are unresponsive, and the rock, paper, scissors game is really annoying when you speak clearly and it still doesn't understand you.
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Overall
This game is great at what it does. You deffinately get more than you pay for. I reccommend Brain Age 2 for anoyone who has a summer vacation from school, or if you just want to better your brain!